Latest news with #Jock
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Kirkcudbright business continues long-standing support of lifeboat crew
West Coast Sea Products donated £1,000 to Kirkcudbright RNLI at the launch of their new boat. A Kirkcudbright business has continued its long-standing support of the town's lifeboat crew. West Coast Sea Products donated £1,000 to the fundraising campaign for a new lifeboat station extension at the launch of their new boat the Halcyon recently. It is tradition for the price of the first bag of scallops to be presented to charity when a new boat is launched. Director and company secretary, Jackie King, said: 'Spanning three generations the King family has not only embraced the challenges of fishing but also contributed to the long history of Kirkcudbright RNLI, its station and crew, ensuring its readiness to serve those in need at sea. 'Their legacy as fishermen reflects a deep connection to the sea.' West Coast Sea Products was founded by John King, known to many as Jock. He was a crew member on the lifeboat and also deputy launch authority in the 1980s and 1990s, generously providing the land for the current crewroom at Dee Road. Retired crew member and honorary secretary, Rab Thomson, said: 'John King was bowman on two Kirkcudbright lifeboats – the JB Cooper of Glasgow, in late 1959, and then on the Mary Pullman when she succeeded the JB Cooper in 1965. 'I remember when he used his first small boat called Seoladair to learn how to tow a fishing net in the Kirkcudbright Bay waters. 'I had the pleasure to be a crewman on a couple of occasions while I was still at school in 1958. John was present on the J B Cooper in 1962 when the Kirkcudbright lifeboat was celebrating its 100th anniversary.' Jock's son John is managing director at West Coast Sea Products and presented the cheque to Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat operations manager John Collins at Saturday's ceremony. And John's nephew – the late Jock's grandson – Jack Finlay is one of the newest recruits to the crew.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
'An absolute legend' retires: No more ruff days at work for Jock
Christchurch shelter rescue canine Jock has taught hundreds of school kids about dog safety over the past 12 years. But it is finally time for the huntaway greyhound cross, who is Christchurch City Council's longest-serving education dog, to officially retire this year. Thirteen-year-old Jock was a spritely pup when he came into the Animal Shelter in 2014. When he was about 1, the friendly canine was adopted by the city council's animal management education co-ordinator Kym Manuel. Photo: Christchurch City Council Manuel now says it was one of the best decisions she has ever made. "Jock has been an absolute legend. "He came into the shelter as just a young pooch, and now at 13 he has toured the country for presentations at schools, libraries and public places." Jock was the original star of the Christchurch City Libraries Reading to Dogs programme and took part in the pilot session more than a decade ago. He is now one of the five dogs working to teach dog safety as part of the city council's DogSmart and DogSafe education programmes. Photo: Christchurch City Council Manuel said the free education programmes were developed by the animal management team to teach dog safety to children and adults to reduce the risk of dog attacks. "We realised there was a gap in our education approach, so shifted our strategy to focus on prevention and keeping the public safe." The DogSmart school programme works with pupils in years 1 to 8 and gives young kids an opportunity to safely interact with a dog. Photo: Christchurch City Council When Jock retires, his leash will be handed over to the current roster of canines who are on a mission to help our communities get dog smart. All of the dogs are family pets and are temperament tested before being gently introduced into the programmes, Manuel said. Animal management also offers DogSafe workplace training, which is designed to help prevent dog attacks on employees who come across dogs in their course of work. To find out more and apply for a free DogSmart or DogSafe training session, visit
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
The Young Offenders is coming back for a fifth season
The BBC - in association with RTÉ - has recommissioned hit comedy The Young Offenders for a fifth season from producers Vico Films. Which is great news for fans of the misadventures of hapless heroes Conor (Alex Murphy) and Jock (Chris Walley), alongside their long- suffering mother/guardian Mairéad (Hilary Rose), former nemesis Garda Sergeant Tony Healy (Dominic MacHale) and the unpredictable Billy Murphy (Shane Casey). Created by Peter Foott, and based on his original film, the new six-part season will see Conor reunited with Jock in Cork after both spent the previous run in different prisons, in different parts of the world. Now that the loveable rogues are back together, there's nothing that they can't do - although whether they're successful at it is a different matter. The critically acclaimed hit show which has reached huge audiences in Ireland, the UK and internationally, set and filmed in Cork city and county, will once again feature Principal Walsh (PJ Gallagher), Siobhán (Jennifer Barry), Linda (Demi Isaac), Orla (Orla Fitzgerald) and Star (Rylee Hosford). Peter Foott s says: "All the original characters who audiences know and love since the show started are back in season five. "We have the funniest, most heart-warming stories in the new season that will show Conor and Jock getting into scrapes like never before. "We hope audiences will share our excitement to have all the gang back together, bringing more laughs, thrills and moments to remember to TV screens." Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, says: "We're thrilled to reunite with Conor and Jock in Cork for more gloriously misguided misadventures. "This fifth series is brimming with the wild heart, raucous charm and razor-sharp wit that have made The Young Offenders a true fan favourite." RTÉ's Executive Producer Comedy Justin Healy said: "Once again, we are thrilled another new season of The Young Offenders will air on RTÉ. "Irish Comedy is making a real impact on the international stage, and RTÉ is delighted to play its part in supporting the creative talent we have here, something that is central to what we do." The Young Offenders has kept audiences entertained since 2016 with the fourth season among the top three comedies across broadcasters for 16–34-year-olds in 2024 (excluding specials). Casting for the final roles in season five is now taking place, and applicants can submit an audition at
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Familiar face to return for new series of The Young Offenders
Rumours of the return of The Young Offenders have been circulating for weeks, but now it has been confirmed that the much-loved Cork-set show will indeed be back for a fifth season, complete with more scenes featuring one of the original stars. Chris Walley (Jock) was barely seen in the last series as he had other filming commitments, but the Glanmire actor is back in a full role for the new run. His character will be rejoining his old mate Conor (Alex Murphy), and the rogue-ish duo have even more in common this time around, having both spent time in prison. Stalwarts such as Hilary Rose (Mairéad), Shane Casey (Billy Murphy), and Demi Isaac (Linda) also return for the six-part series that's soon to begin production in Cork. The series is again produced by Vico Films, and is commissioned by the BBC, in association with RTÉ. Filming on a previous series of The Young Offenders. Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy, said the British broadcaster was thrilled to reunite Conor and Jock in Cork. 'This fifth series is brimming with the wild heart, raucous charm and razor-sharp wit that have made The Young Offenders a true fan favourite,' said Petrie. Peter Foott, who created the hugely-popular original film in 2016, is also delighted to be working on another series. 'We have the funniest, most heart-warming stories in the new season that will show Conor and Jock getting into scrapes like never before,' says the writer/director who is also working on an unrelated feature film set in Castlecove, Co Kerry. While lead roles in The Young Offenders are already filled, the producers are still casting for a few characters, and have invited applicants to submit an audition via Meanwhile, BBC has confirmed it has commissioned another Irish drama series, with filming already under way on an adaptation of Rónán Hession's novel, Leonard and Hungry Paul. Jamie-Lee O'Donnell is to feature in the cast of Leonard And Hungry Paul. The Dublin author received widespread praise and a slew of awards following the 2019 publication of the endearing tale of two board-gaming friends. The cast for the six-part series will include Jamie-Lee O'Donnell (Michelle in Derry Girls). No broadcast date has yet been confirmed for either series. Read More Young Offenders creator Peter Foott to make new film set in Kerry
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
'Distressing' fate of gorillas left behind after zoo closed two years ago
A troop of eight gorillas have remained living at Bristol Zoo Gardens since it closed to the public in September 2022, with intruders breaking in to their enclosure A tragic fortunes of a group of gorillas left behind after a zoo closed two years ago has been revealed. The troop of eight gorillas - Jock, Touni, Kera, Kala, Afia, Ayana, and toddlers, Hasani and Juni - have remained stuck living at Bristol Zoo Gardens' Clifton location since it closed to the public in September 2022. Sadly, the troop has been left tormented and traumatised by a series of break-ins after the Bristol Zoo Project said "false information" was disseminated online. The charity released a video on its Facebook page to raise revealing how the animals - including Jock, the oldest silverback gorilla in the UK - have suffered. READ MORE: Theme park left abandoned and 'frozen in time' where Orca whales still alive left to rot In the video, keepers said the latest trespassers had not been able to get near the gorillas thanks to increased security, but added that repeated attempts to gain access to the family of primates are "really distressing" for them. Imogen, one of the zookeepers, said loud alarms and sounds are triggered during each attempt. She said: "Although it is good news that our stepped up security has managed to keep the trespassers away from the gorillas, it does mean that every time somebody comes onto the zoo grounds, the alarms and sounders go off, which are quite loud - and that's actually really distressing for the gorillas." Gareth, another zookeeper, added the break ins, when described in "human terms", are comparable to "someone snooping around a family home outside". He explained: "The residents of that house will be worried and scared. The gorillas feel those emotions as well - especially the young, like Hasani and Juni, and the elderly, like Jock. "We've had issues immediately after the break ins the next day, doing basic husbandry routines because Jock in particular is so tired he just doesn't want to move." Hannah Windross, Director of People and Public Engagement, Bristol Zoological Society, said their former Bristol Zoo Gardens site has been targeted by trespassers on several occasions since July 2024. She explained: "This has resulted in videos and misinformation being spread on social media. Unfortunately, each time the videos are re-shared, we experience new break-ins at the site, where our Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla troop is being cared for by our expert keepers." "Our heightened security has ensured recent trespassers haven't been able to get near to the gorillas, but each time it happens, and alarms are set off in the middle of the night, it causes the troop distress. We take these incidents seriously. The care and welfare of our animals is always our top priority. "Our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team have continued to care for the gorillas since the closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens, just as they did when the site was open to the public. We hope our supporters will help us raise awareness of the harm these continued break-ins are causing to our animals and combat misleading information that the site is empty. "It has been well publicised that the troop are still living in the Clifton site, and work is underway to create a new African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project, which they will move into. There, they will be joined by many other of the world's most threatened species." Wildlife charity Born Free said it was "deeply concerned" for the health and safety of both individuals gaining access to the former zoo site, as well as the welfare implications for the gorillas which remain. "The presence of strangers and the loud noise from unpredictable alarms could be highly stressful for the gorillas and such chronic stress could pose short and long-term health risks; especially when combined with the many health and welfare issues great apes already experience in zoos," Chris Lewis, Born Free's Captivity Research and Policy Manager, told the Mirror. "More widely, it once again raises questions around the confinement of great apes, and whether the keeping of such profoundly intelligent and sentient animals can be ethically justified in today's society." The troop is now due to move a new Central African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project site near Cribbs Causeway this summer, ahead of its opening to the public in 2026. A spokesperson for Bristol Zoo said: "The gorilla troop will move across to their new habitat at Bristol Zoo Project in the summer of 2025 and the cherry crowned mangabeys, who will be sharing their habitat, will be carefully introduced. Time has been set aside for them to integrate and acclimatise to their new homes. Our African Forest habitat is due to open to the public in spring 2026." The Central African Forest (CAF), which will be located at the Bristol Zoo Project near Cribbs Causeway, was originally planned to be open in the summer of 2025 but has been delayed until spring 2026. Work on the new habitat began in June 2024 after planning permission was granted in January. However, the discovery of swallows and wrens, two species of nesting birds, have been located within the old Okapi Stable, which was due to be demolished as part of the development. The nesting birds are protected so the demolition of the stable was delayed until the birds were able to fly in late summer last year. This meant that construction of the new Crocodile and Parrot House, within the CAF, was delayed.
